DAILY MUSIC NEWS WRAP UP: Billboard Music Awards, Snoop Dogg Kirk Franklin news

By Ivory M. Jones, BET.com Staff Writer
Mary J.

Blige was the top winner at last night's 2006 Billboard Music Awards, taking nine trophies home with her. The ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Blige’s honors included R B/hip-hop album for her album, The Breakthrough and R B/hip-hop song for her hit single, “Be Without You.

” Backstage, Blige told reporters, “I’ve never received this many awards at any time in my career, ever.”
T.I.

followed close behind the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, walking away with five awards, including Rap artist of the year and Rap album of the year for his album, King. Chris Brown and Rihanna were right behind them with three trophies each. Here’s a breakdown of the night’s big R B and hip-hop winners:

Hot 100 airplay song of the year: “Be Without You,” Mary J.

Blige

Rap artist of the year: T.I.

Rap album of the year: King, T.

I.

Rap album artist of the year: T.I.

Rap songs artist of the year: T.I.

Female R B/hip-hop artist of the year: Mary J.

Blige

R B/hip-hop artist of the year: Mary J. Blige

R B/hip-hop songs artist of the year: Mary J. Blige

R B/hip-hop album artist of the year: Mary J.

Blige

R B hip-hop album of the year: "The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige

R B/hip-hop song of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

R B/hip-hop song airplay of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J.

Blige

Videoclip of the year: "Be Without You," Mary J. Blige

Videoclips artist of the year: T.I.

Snoop Dogg’s arraignment on a felony weapons possession charge has been postponed until Jan. 24. The charge stems from his Sept.

27 arrest at California’s John Wayne Airport when a collapsible baton was found in his luggage. The 35-year-old rapper came to court accompanied by three bodyguards and his defense attorney, Don Etra, who asked Superior Court Judge Kazuharu Makino to delay the proceedings. Snoop also signed a waiver that will allow him to skip “non-substantive” hearings.

Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, told airport police that the 21-inch baton was to be used as a prop for a music video he was filming in New York. “He had no intent to use it as a weapon and no intent to carry a weapon on his person,” Etra told The Associated Press. According to a spokesperson for the Santa Ana District Attorney’s office, Snoop could face up to three years in prison if convicted.

He remains free on $150,000 bail. As previously reported, Snoop posted bail in two other pending cases and will appear in court on December 12 and January 11 to answer those charges.
Kirk Franklin will play himself in Church Boy, a Lionsgate film that follows Franklin from his tumultuous childhood to his ultimate rise as a gospel star.

“To hear his story is to realize how faith and dedication can help a person overcome the most daunting obstacles. With Kirk playing himself and bringing in brand-new songs—audiences are sure to be feeling the spirit with Church Boy,” Mike Paseornek, Lionsgate President of Production, said yesterday. Franklin will also handle writing duties for the movie’s soundtrack.

“Lionsgate is the perfect home for Church Boy. This is a studio that has made a strong and genuine commitment to African-American audiences and faith-based audiences,” Franklin said. Church Boy is slated to begin filming in the spring and is expected to hit theaters in 2008.